PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Plantar Fasciitis is a general term that is commonly used to describe pain in the proximal ach and heel. The fibrous band of tissue originates on the bottom surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the sole of the foot towards the five toes. The function of the plantar fascia is to assist in maintaining the stability of the food and in securing or bracing the longitudinal arch.

Signs and Symptoms:

*Heel pain, under the heel and usually on the inside, at the origin of the attachment of the fascia.

*Pain when pressing on the inside of the heel and sometimes along the arch.

*Pain is usually worse first thing in the morning as the fascia tightens up overnight. After a few minutes it eases as the foot gets warmed up

*As the condition becomes more severe the pain can get worse throughout the day if acitivity continues.

*Sometimes there may also be pain along the outside border of the heel. This may occur due to the offloading the painful side of the heel by walking on the outside border of the foot. It may also be associated with the high impact of landing on the outside of the heel if you have high arched feet.

*Stretching the plantar fascia may be painful.

Causes: The pain of plantar fasciitis is caused by tight and inflexible plantar fascia and, also by tight calf muscles. Street shoes, by nature of their design, take on the characteristics of splints and tent to restrict foot action to such an extent that the arch may become somewhat rigid. This rigidity occurs because of shortening of the ligaments and other mild abnormalities. It is also commonly associated with long periods of work-related weight bearing and among non-athletic populations, it is associated with a high body mass index.

HOW CAN MASSAGE HELP?

Bodywork is extremely effective in helping people overcome the pain and limitations of plantar fasciitis. By working on the tightness of the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and the soleus) the added tension to the plantar fascia can be released. Also, the stretching of the fascia allows it to form back to the calcaneous, thus preventing the development of  heel spurs. Relaxing the tension of the fascia and supplying blood to the area allows the fascia to be in a relaxed state.

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